Can't see it happening. DeRozan's been in the league for 5 years now, and still hasn't developed the ball-handling skills required to break down a defender in an isolation. There's very little reason to think he'll develop this fundamental skill 6-10 years into his career.

This was simply a gaffe by Casey.

Now where have i seen this written before.....hmmm.... rinse and repeat. Sounds very similar to the argument you made last year. I guess we'll see won't we?

Demar improves on things whenever he focuses in on improving those specific things in the off season.
There is no reason to believe that if he goes into the off season and focuses on getting a better handle that he wont improve.

Demar improves on things whenever he focuses in on improving those specific things in the off season.
There is no reason to believe that if he goes into the off season and focuses on getting a better handle that he wont improve.

That's a scary thought: That after 4.5 seasons as a pro, DeRozan hasn't worked on his handles before

Good lord! Never letting up on the guy. He spills his guts out for this team every game. Without his play for 47 minutes, the game isn't even close, but jump all over him for not making the play he was clearly fouled on, but not called.

Letter N wrote:

Here's a fun stat:

In the last minute of a game where we trail by 3-point or less this season (12 times this has happened this season) Demar Derozan is.................................2 for 11!!!!!!
He did go 3 for 4 from the line is such situations, but 0 for 2 from 3.

Demar improves on things whenever he focuses in on improving those specific things in the off season.
There is no reason to believe that if he goes into the off season and focuses on getting a better handle that he wont improve.

And his handle has improved. It's just nothing special. And maybe he can take it up a notch or two...

But that isn't the point. The point is it was a badly drawn play, both because of who you're running it for and who you're running it against. I can't imagine being one of his assistants in that timeout. Having to keep my mouth shut so I don't get fired when Casey says "ok guys, we're running an iso for DeMar, so just flatten out and let him go to work"....

Okay the one thing we can all agree about is the Casey does not know what to do in late game situations (play calling). And since were more then likely to be in the playoffs,there is gonna be more and more late game situations like this. Also its to late to fire Casey we just have to hope we avoid close games somehow in the playoffs because Casey will get out coached and we will lose unless Casey uses his brain and realizes that DD is not an ISO player and Lowry should have the ball in his hands in all clutch situations!!!

Good lord! Never letting up on the guy. He spills his guts out for this team every game. Without his play for 47 minutes, the game isn't even close, but jump all over him for not making the play he was clearly fouled on, but not called.

Implying the shot should have gone to 4/13, in the game, Lowry? Coaches don't usually go with the cold hand. But I played around with that page. Last minute, tied or behind:

DeMar DeRozan... 3/15 = 20%

Paul George........ 2/12 = 16.7%

Carmelo Anthony. 1/19 = 5.3%

Chris Paul........... 1/9 = 11.1%

KD.................... 4/12 = 33.3%

James Harden...... 3/9 = 33.3%

John Wall........... 6/18 = 33.3%

Seeing any big numbers from these "superstars? Paul George, Melo, CP3 shouldn't have the ball at that point? KD, Harden are iffy?

Looks a little different when taken into context of how difficult it is at that point in a game, especially when there's been so little help from the rest of the team all game?

Yup. "he is what he is" grasping at straws with the slightest opening. people hate being wrong.

You can't seriously be trying to say this. *boggled mind*

Just gotta say this form the get-go, Demar was NOT fouled on that play. If you really want to nitpick and say he was fouled, you then would have to acknowledge that before the "foul," he travelled.

Second of all, the thing that those stats don't include are the amount of times, in those same situations, that Demar has been unable to get a shot off or lost it due to turnover, so those numbers actually make Demar look better than he actually performs here. Not to mention, I'd be willing to bet a good amount of money that the shots those other players get are set up much better (given that they're all better ball-handlers; whether its through an ISO or a play), increasing the actual chance of a basket going in. Not all misses are equal.

The third thing: I don't think anyone is faulting Demar here. I'm a big fan of the guy but he was put in a very bad situation here. He just does not have the ball handling skills necessary here. I don't think he will ever be a great ballhandler (you usually can tell from the get-go if someone has that possibility) but I do absolutely think he can possibly become good at it BUT he's not there this season. Putting the ball in Lowry's hands creates significantly more avenues to go down with significantly higher success simply through virtue of being a better ballhandler and having much higher BB IQ. And this is before you even take into account who was guarding Demar and which of the two guards would have been guarding Lowry which makes the decision that much worse.

Just gotta say this form the get-go, Demar was NOT fouled on that play. If you really want to nitpick and say he was fouled, you then would have to acknowledge that before the "foul," he travelled.

Second of all, the thing that those stats don't include are the amount of times, in those same situations, that Demar has been unable to get a shot off or lost it due to turnover, so those numbers actually make Demar look better than he actually performs here.

The third thing: I don't think anyone is faulting Demar here. I'm a big fan of the guy but he was put in a very bad situation here. He just does not have the ball handling skills necessary here. I don't think he will ever be a great ballhandler (you usually can tell from the get-go if someone has that possibility) but I do absolutely think he can possibly become good at it BUT he's not there this season. Putting the ball in Lowry's hands creates significantly more avenues to go down with significantly higher success simply through virtue of being a better ballhandler and having much higher BB IQ. And this is before you even take into account who was guarding Demar and which of the two guards would have been guarding Lowry which makes the decision that much worse.

This.

You can even essentially run the play for DeMar but through Lowry. Hinrich was matched up against Lowry (I think), and if you create a situation where the D is suddenly worried about Lowry attacking him, possibly using a screen...Then you can also create lots of off-the-ball movement that might cause the D to make a mistake, especially if they're worried about the on-ball matchup.

Again, the problem wasn't that Casey wanted DeMar to take the last shot, it was the type of play he ran to get that last shot.

You can even essentially run the play for DeMar but through Lowry. Hinrich was matched up against Lowry (I think), and if you create a situation where the D is suddenly worried about Lowry attacking him, possibly using a screen...Then you can also create lots of off-the-ball movement that might cause the D to make a mistake, especially if they're worried about the on-ball matchup.

Again, the problem wasn't that Casey wanted DeMar to take the last shot, it was the type of play he ran to get that last shot.

It absolutely wouldn't be hard to have come up with either. High screen, have Lowry drive, D absolutely would be worried about that given the match up (I couldn't remember if DJ or Hinrich was on Lowry on the last play), that would definitely free someone up for Lowry to kick to. Even better if you have an offball screen freeing Demar up as well.